The Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, squad has been named for Sunday's trip to Irish Independent Park in Cork to take on Inter-Provincial rivals Munster A in the quarter-final of the British & Irish Cup.
Mark Best, an ever-present throughout this season’s campaign, will captain the side from inside centre where he will be paired in midfield by Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy player Jack Owens, who recently earned his first Ulster senior cap in the bonus point win over Glasgow.
David Busby and Aaron Cairns, another two Academy players who have made their senior debuts this season will start at fullback and right wing respectively, and they will be joined by Conor Kelly in the back three.
Dave Shanahan and Brett Herron will form the half-back partnership, having already successfully paired up for pool stage wins over Jersey Reds and Cardiff Blues Premiership Select.
Tommy O’Hagan, man of the match in the round 5 win over London Scottish, returns at loosehead prop having missed the final pool stage game in Jersey due to injury. Ricky Lutton, with 57 senior caps, adds considerable experience at tighthead, while Jonny Murphy completes the front row.
Pete Browne, who has started 10 senior games this season, is selected alongside Queens University captain Alex Thompson in the second row.
In the back row, Conor Joyce who, like Best, makes his seventh consecutive start, is joined by Ireland Sevens player Nick Timoney and Matthew Rea.
Zack McCall, Ross Kane, John Donnan and Conall Boomer make up the forward replacements, while Andy Magrath, Mark Keane and Josh Jordan provide the backline cover.
Sunday’s quarter-final will be Ulster A’s first appearance in the B&I Cup knockout stages since 2012, when they also faced the same opposition. Munster won that encounter 9-20 before going on to win the competition.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Munster A, Sunday 12th March, Irish Independent Park (kick-off 3.00pm):
(15-9): David Busby, Aaron Cairns, Jack Owens, Mark Best (C), Conor Kelly, Brett Herron, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, Jonny Murphy, Ricky Lutton, Pete Browne, Alex Thompson, Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce, Matthew Rea.
Replacements (16-22): Zack McCall, Ross Kane, John Donnan, Conall Boomer, Andy Magrath, Mark Keane, Josh Jordan.
British & Irish Cup Quarter-Finals:
Munster A v Ulster A
London Irish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v Cornish Pirates
Ealing Trailfinders v Scarlets Premiership Select
Mark Best, an ever-present throughout this season’s campaign, will captain the side from inside centre where he will be paired in midfield by Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy player Jack Owens, who recently earned his first Ulster senior cap in the bonus point win over Glasgow.
David Busby and Aaron Cairns, another two Academy players who have made their senior debuts this season will start at fullback and right wing respectively, and they will be joined by Conor Kelly in the back three.
Dave Shanahan and Brett Herron will form the half-back partnership, having already successfully paired up for pool stage wins over Jersey Reds and Cardiff Blues Premiership Select.
Tommy O’Hagan, man of the match in the round 5 win over London Scottish, returns at loosehead prop having missed the final pool stage game in Jersey due to injury. Ricky Lutton, with 57 senior caps, adds considerable experience at tighthead, while Jonny Murphy completes the front row.
Pete Browne, who has started 10 senior games this season, is selected alongside Queens University captain Alex Thompson in the second row.
In the back row, Conor Joyce who, like Best, makes his seventh consecutive start, is joined by Ireland Sevens player Nick Timoney and Matthew Rea.
Zack McCall, Ross Kane, John Donnan and Conall Boomer make up the forward replacements, while Andy Magrath, Mark Keane and Josh Jordan provide the backline cover.
Sunday’s quarter-final will be Ulster A’s first appearance in the B&I Cup knockout stages since 2012, when they also faced the same opposition. Munster won that encounter 9-20 before going on to win the competition.
Ulster A team and replacements to play Munster A, Sunday 12th March, Irish Independent Park (kick-off 3.00pm):
(15-9): David Busby, Aaron Cairns, Jack Owens, Mark Best (C), Conor Kelly, Brett Herron, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Tommy O’Hagan, Jonny Murphy, Ricky Lutton, Pete Browne, Alex Thompson, Nick Timoney, Conor Joyce, Matthew Rea.
Replacements (16-22): Zack McCall, Ross Kane, John Donnan, Conall Boomer, Andy Magrath, Mark Keane, Josh Jordan.
British & Irish Cup Quarter-Finals:
Munster A v Ulster A
London Irish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v Cornish Pirates
Ealing Trailfinders v Scarlets Premiership Select